Chapter 259: The Vault, Taken Over

Chapter 259: The Vault, Taken Over

Beyond the mountain, astonishingly, lay a vast expanse of golden ocean. Massive bubbles, each emitting a spectrum of colors, rose from the sea, encapsulating various creatures within them: enormous azure birds, monstrous beings with human heads and serpentine bodies, and colossal peacocks shrouded in Buddha's light. These creatures matched some of the famed entities from myths.

The bubbles, emerging from the golden waters, floated upward, resembling both mythical and fairy-tale beings. They radiated divine power and an innocence akin to children's stories.

Pop! The bubbles burst before rising too high, and the creatures within them vanished instantly, leaving no trace. This cycle of immense bubbles forming, ascending, and then shattering continued relentlessly in the golden ocean, with the creatures inside struggling futilely before dissolving into mottled streams of light, fading into the mysterious sea surface.

Wang Xuan couldn't resist the urge to project his spirit, clutching the God-Slaying Banner to perceive the true nature of these phenomena, rather than just witnessing the ephemeral illusion of the bursting bubbles.

He was deeply shocked. The golden ocean emitted intense transcendent radiation, threatening to tear apart his spiritual form. Fortunately, the gentle fluttering of the God-Slaying Banner, with its interwoven patterns, shielded him from the encroaching golden light of the vast sea.

On closer inspection, he noticed the golden ocean was receding, gradually distancing itself from the mountain cliff. The physical world's mountains and forests couldn't contain it. It seemed to be moving through the void, preparing to depart.

Wang Xuan's spirit returned to his body. He boarded his flying boat, attempting to follow the sea, but to his surprise, he could never get close to it.

Eventually, he returned to the top of Hanwu Mountain. Below, the golden sea was fiercely active, continuously producing bubbles. "Is this a sign?" he murmured. "Are myths just illusions, destined to shatter?"

The golden sea slowly drifted away, not rapidly, but it seemed it would take days, perhaps even weeks, to completely vanish into the void. Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)

"What is this?" Wang Xuan wondered. He speculated that he might have inadvertently witnessed a scene similar to Shidi, or perhaps it was Shidi itself. But now, it was departing, fading into nothingness.

In the past, was Hanwu Mountain such a place? Could the dwellings in the mountains be the abodes of ferryman-like guardians?

Finally, from the golden ocean, a creature escaped the bubble, flying into the depths of the golden sea, fading into the distance until it dimmed away. Wang Xuan stood there for a long time, leaving only as the sky darkened.

Two days later, Wang Xuan received numerous calls. His business was bustling, as people realized that while other transcendent beings could invigorate blood and sort through meridians, the ultimate effect was akin to... massage! While beneficial to the body, it did not extend life.

Qian An and Song Yun, however, had undergone stringent medical checks and were astonishingly found to have reversed aging by a couple of years.

Zhong Cheng, in awe, said, "Wang Xuan is defying the heavens, determined to drain these old men of their treasures. But I’m tempted too. I want to chat with Wang Xuan, seek an equal exchange. I want to become a transcendent. Sister, don’t you want to be a fairy too? Once Zhao Qinghan and Wu Yin return, they'll surely be like immortals from another world. If you remain a mortal, you'll be left behind."

Zhong Qing's pure and pretty face showed her dilemma. The thought of falling behind Zhao Qinghan and Wu Yin bothered her.

"Big sister, I think you should seize the opportunity with Wang Xuan. He’s a good catch – so powerful and gives a sense of security. Though he gets into trouble sometimes, it’s usually just a bit of bombing by a warship, nothing serious. He’s survived several times; he’s not fated to die young."

While Zhong Cheng boasted and his sister prepared to scold him, their father, Zhong Changming, arrived, insisting they invite Wang Xuan over.

"I'm a bit worried," Zhao Zejun sighed.

Wang Xuan glanced back at the Daoist temple, pondering whether the bone was self-reviving or if some creature was using it to locate and send dreams through the great curtain.

"Uncle Zhao, there shouldn't be any trouble for now," Wang Xuan reassured. "That being is unlikely to go too far, considering it's quite cunning. If its demands are reasonable, try to accommodate them. If there’s any trouble in the future, I'll come and have a look. Don't worry."

Wang Xuan believed that as long as the dream-sender was not overly arrogant, they would not act rashly. These were beings who had survived the brutal struggles behind the great curtain and were likely to be gentle and even generous to the Zhao family, considering they hadn't yet regained their true form.

Zhao Zejun was taken aback by Wang Xuan's confidence. He wondered how strong this young man truly was.

Wang Xuan did feel confident. Given more time, he believed anything was possible. He even contemplated testing the effects of the God-Slaying Banner on the bone.

Zhao Zejun hesitated before saying, "Come with me. My father has been frequently visiting the secret vault lately. I suspect that a being is directing him to search for something."

Preferring Wang Xuan over the mysterious being, especially knowing his daughter's close association with Wang Xuan in the secret land, Zhao Zejun led him to the treasury.

Stopping at the entrance, Wang Xuan frowned. The sensation here was similar to what he had experienced in the Sun family's vault. It seemed possible that every financial conglomerate's secret vault had been occupied by someone.

Using his exceptional perception and special sight, Wang Xuan noted that although there were powerful treasures here, none compared to the God-Slaying Banner or the Soul-Locking Bell.

After some thought, Wang Xuan decided not to stir up conflict or alarm anyone. He signaled Zhao Zejun to leave the area with him.

"Uncle Zhao, there are indeed some issues there, mainly targeting transcendent beings. It won't affect ordinary people much. For now, act as if you know nothing. If any strange events occur in the future, contact me," Wang Xuan advised.

Zhao Zejun nodded and personally saw Wang Xuan off, watching him disappear into the distance.

Following persistent invitations from Qin Hongyuan, Wang Xuan visited the Qin family and finally completed his reading of the entire Sakyamuni True Scripture. This gave him access to the full text of this significant work.

Soon after, Qin Cheng contacted Wang Xuan to inform him about a recent development. "Wang Xuan, we're now at the Huang family's residence, who claim to be the orthodox practitioners of ancient techniques. We've been attending an old technique exchange meeting for several days, and unexpectedly, the people from Yuntai University brought us here to the Huang family. We couldn't refuse. Here, Professor Lin saw the person who pierced his chest years ago."

Wang Xuan's heart sank momentarily, wondering if the Huang family had intentionally invited Professor Lin and Qin Cheng. He recalled that several old technique families, including the Huang and Yun families, had invited him, but he had politely declined.

Qin Cheng continued, "The Huang family has been very courteous, and there haven't been any incidents. Professor Lin remained calm and didn't dwell on the past. However, the Huang family would like to invite you for an exchange."

"Okay, I understand," Wang Xuan nodded, relieved there were no unpleasant surprises.

In the Huang family's ancestral shrine, amidst thin wisps of white mist, an elder was in a deep slumber, communicating with a mysterious entity in his dream.

"Yes, every time he prolongs someone's life, he enters a Taoist temple, monastery, or shrine," the elder said in the dream.

"Invite him here," a voice echoed through the mists in the elder's dream.